Mr Cameron hopes that President Xi's visit will result in more than £30billion of Chinese investment into British infrastructure and building projects, including Hinkley nuclear power plant and High Speed Rail 2.

In anticipation of the deals, President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan are to receive non-stop lavish treatment for the duration of their four-day stay.

Along with a stay at the Queen at Buckingham Palace, the Chinese leader will be given a luxury state banquet and dine with the Prime Minister at Chequers.

Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond backed the Prime Minister and said the move is in the nation's interest.

Mr Xi and the Prince of Wales today arrived in a chauffeur-driven limousine and behind them in another car was the Duchess of Cornwall and the president's wife.

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Mr Xi Jinping inspects a Guard of Honour with the Duke of Edinburgh

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Prince Charles meets Xi Jinping

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Queen Elizabeth II introduces the Chinese President Xi Jinping (rear) to David Cameron

The party had made the short trip from the exclusive Mandarin Oriental hotel in nearby Knightsbridge and as their car arrived on the parade ground the Queen and Philip turned to face them.

The muffled sound of a 41-gun royal salute rang out as the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery in nearby Green Park, fired the volleys.

Before the Queen and president on Horse Guards Parade was a guard of honour comprising 96 rank and file men and three officers from 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.

Major Benjamin Jesty, captain of the guard of honour, marched forward and presented his men giving the order in Mandarin.

Speaking the language he has been practising for a number of weeks he said: "The Guard of Honour of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards is present, formed up and ready for your inspection Sir."

Prince Philip joined the Chinese leader as he walked past the two rows of guardsmen wearing their scarlet tunics and bearskins.

After the welcoming ceremony the two heads of state, senior members of the Royal Family and leading figures from China's government left Horse Guards Parade to travel to Buckingham Palace in a glittering carriage procession.

But protesters planning to shine a spotlight on human rights violations clashed with pro-China supporters during the procession.

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Protesters against the Chinese President's visit line The Mall in London

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A protester at The Mall in London, against Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan

Members of the Anti-China Free Tibet group and those in favour of the visit were seen pushing and shoving as demonstrators were placed together.

Many ignored the police perimeter set up for those from the Free Tibet group as well as Amnesty UK and other groups opposing the visit of the Chinese President.

As the procession drew closer traditional Chinese drums were used to drown out the Free Tibet demonstrators.